Why there's no efficient automation without integration

Automation, integration and AI have evolved from IT tools to an essential part of how organisations operate. Leaders have recognised their value and many are identifying use cases in different departments to boost efficiency and productivity. If there was any doubt, a recent IPSOS survey with Google states that AI is now key in Australian workplaces, with 74% of Australian AI users saying they use it for work.

Integration provides a foundation for connecting applications, processes and data together across disparate technologies. Only on this foundation of connectivity can an organisation trust the data used by AI to accurately support the automation of business processes.

Integration also ensures different systems work together smoothly, preventing teams from working in silos. Without it, automation is fragmented and has a limited potential. The term ‘garbage in, garbage out’ is even more relevant to AI given how data is used to generate responses and help users make decisions. So, when done right, organisations can leverage the full potential of AI, automation and integration to achieve great outcomes. Let’s dive into how.

Efficiency boost and cost reduction

Automation significantly lowers operational costs by replacing or augmenting human labour, reducing errors and optimising resource usage. It automates repetitive and time-consuming tasks, allowing businesses to minimise the need for manual intervention and cutting down on the labour required for routine processes. This helps businesses save on staffing costs and reduces the risk for human errors.

In addition, automation optimises resource usage by ensuring that tasks are completed faster and more accurately, improving overall efficiency. This leads to more streamlined operations and allows employees to focus on higher-value, strategic work, further driving productivity.

When coupled with integration — which ensures seamless communication between various tools, platforms and departments — automation becomes even more powerful. Integration reduces redundancies, enhances collaboration and provides a unified view of operations, all of which contribute to further cost reductions.

Better decision-making

Quality data is powerful, as it helps businesses understand their customers’ needs and refine their strategies accordingly. It allows them to make informed decisions, whether it’s for attracting new clients, improving loyalty or predicting sales trends. But with the big volume of data companies handle nowadays, businesses need to deploy tools that allow them to both automate and integrate it. Thus, they can process that data and act on it efficiently. Integration platforms help improve the quality of data by identifying sources of truth and simplifying the way organisations manage their master data.

With real-time data collection and analysis enabled by AI, automation and integration, businesses can make informed decisions quickly. This capability is crucial for allocating resources effectively, responding to market shifts and staying ahead of the competition. Retailers can adjust inventory based on live sales trends, manufacturers can optimise production schedules to prevent bottlenecks, and service providers can anticipate customer needs before issues arise.

Beyond improving day-to-day operations, real-time insights give businesses the agility to adapt to changing consumer behaviour, supply chain disruptions and regulatory updates. By seamlessly integrating data and automation, companies can minimise waste, boost productivity and maintain a competitive edge.

Enhanced customer experience

Automation and integration are changing the way businesses connect with customers, making the whole experience smoother and more personalised. By bringing together different systems like customer relationship management (CRM), online stores and marketing tools, businesses can get a fuller picture of each customer. This helps them understand their preferences, past purchases and behaviours, so they can offer better recommendations that feel personal.

Automating everyday tasks like collecting data or sending messages helps businesses stay on top of things and ensure each customer interaction is timely. With everything connected, information from different sources — whether it’s a recent purchase, a service inquiry, or a social media chat — comes together in one place.

Having all this customer information in one place also means businesses can keep the experience consistent across all touchpoints, whether it’s through email, live chat or social media. Customers get the same helpful service and relevant offers no matter how they connect with the brand. This creates a sense of reliability and trust, making customers feel appreciated and strengthening their loyalty to the business over time.

Automation and integration must go hand in hand

It’s not enough for organisations to simply use AI: they must leverage it in a way that improves outcomes and drives competitive advantage. With automation and integration, companies can improve processes but they must ensure resources are re-allocated in alignment with their long-term goals to drive sustainable operational improvement.

As organisations understand the value automation and integration can bring, they can shift their focus to identifying the levers that will help them drive the most competitive advantage. While automation automates tasks, integration will ensure that everything — systems and data — is connected and runs smoothly together.

When looking to stay agile and streamline complex workflows, organisations need to look out for vendors that leverage AI to orchestrate workflows by connecting multiple applications and data sources. This approach will enable smarter and faster processes by allowing systems to learn, adapt, and continuously improve tasks in real time.

*John Deeb is General Manager, ANZ, at Workato.

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